Method for making a football

ABSTRACT

A method for making a football includes the steps of cutting rubber material to a predetermined dimension; vulcanizing the rubber material; attaching a sponge layer to a fabric layer; attaching the sponge layer and the fabric layer to the rubber material; cutting the combined rubber material, sponge layer and the fabric layer into elliptical pieces; sewing the elliptical pieces to form an ellipsoid body and defining an inlet opening, wherein edges of the elliptical pieces are sewed together and thus a ellipsoid is formed; defining holes in adjacent pieces of the ellipsoid body; turning the ellipsoid body inside-out and inserting a bladder into the ellipsoid body through the inlet opening; and lacing the holes together with a plastic lace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for making a football and more particularly to a method that includes the steps of cutting rubber material to a predetermined dimension, attaching a sponge layer to a fabric layer, attaching the sponge layer to the rubber material, cutting the compound of rubber material, sponge layer and the fabric layer into elliptical pieces, sewing the elliptical pieces to form an ellipsoid body, defining holes in adjacent elliptical pieces, turning the ellipsoid body inside-out and inserting a bladder into the ellipsoid body and lacing the holes together with a plastic lace.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In a football game, tackling a runner carrying the football under his arm or a receiver jumping high up into the air trying to catch a passed football is quite common. Defenders all try their best to knock down the offensive player with the football. After sensing the thrill of the action and the maneuverability and strategy of both sides, a spectator might ask himself if there is anything that can be done to exclude factors caused by the football itself so the football game strictly focuses on the comparison between strength and strategy. Could the structure of the football be changed to exclude fumble factors caused by the impact on a receiver or runner, so that the receiver or ball carrier would have no viable excuse that a fumble was caused by the impact of the football itself?

[0005] The primary objective of the invention is to provide an improved method for making a football that is able to absorb shock to minimize the possibility of a fumble caused by the football.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a method for making a football to provide a cushion when the football impacts a receiver.

[0007] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps of making a football in accordance with the present invention; and

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the football constructed in accordance with the method as described in FIG. 1 showing the interior structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] With reference to FIG. 1, a method for making a football in accordance with the present invention has the steps of:

[0011] cutting rubber material to a predetermined dimension;

[0012] vulcanizing the rubber material, wherein a chemical substance, such as sulfur is added to the rubber material to strengthen the rubber material;

[0013] attaching a sponge layer to a fabric layer, wherein the sponge is bonded to the fabric layer by gluing, sewing or any known and suitable method;

[0014] attaching the combined sponge and fabric layer to the rubber material, wherein the combined sponge and fabric layer is secured to the rubber material by gluing, sewing or any known and suitable method;

[0015] cutting the combined rubber material, sponge layer and the fabric layer into elliptical pieces;

[0016] sewing the elliptical pieces to form an ellipsoid body and defining an inlet opening, wherein edges of the elliptical pieces are sewed together and an ellipsoid is formed;

[0017] defining holes on adjacent elliptical pieces of the ellipsoid body;

[0018] turning the ellipsoid body inside-out and inserting a bladder into the ellipsoid body through the inlet opening; and

[0019] lacing the holes together with a plastic lace.

[0020] Each of the rubber pieces (11), the fabric piece (21) and the sponge piece (31) are an elliptical shape so that after the combined rubber, sponge and fabric pieces are sewn together, an ellipsoid body of rubber, sponge and fabric is formed. When the ellipsoid body is formed, a football is then formed. A plastic lace (2) is inserted through holes (12) in two adjacent rubber pieces (11) and the football is finished.

[0021] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making a football comprising the steps of: cutting rubber material to a predetermined dimension; vulcanizing the rubber material; attaching a sponge layer to a fabric layer; attaching the combined sponge and fabric layer to the rubber material; cutting the combined rubber material, sponge layer and the fabric layer into elliptical pieces; sewing the elliptical pieces to form an ellipsoid body and defining an inlet opening, wherein edges of the elliptical pieces are sewed together and thus an ellipsoid is formed; defining holes in adjacent elliptical pieces of the ellipsoid body; turning the ellipsoid body inside-out and inserting a bladder into the ellipsoid body through the inlet opening; and lacing the holes together with a plastic lace.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sulfur is added in the vulcanizing step to strengthen the rubber material.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sponge layer is sewed to the fabric layer.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sponge layer is attached to the fabric layer by gluing.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sponge layer together with the fabric layer is attached to the rubber material by gluing.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combined sponge layer and fabric layer are attached to the rubber material by sewing. 